Typically on most Sundays at any house of worship, a collection plate is passed around near the end of the service, some short recitation is said, there's a prayer and then the collection plate is passed. Some churches play music and everyone kind of dances as they walk forward to give their tithes/offerings. I've even seen churches make a point of collecting money twice - one for tithes and one for offerings. (I have to say that this was a head-scratcher!) Sometimes there's a musical performance as the offering box is passed. Sometimes the atmosphere is solemn, sometimes festive. Some churches display weekly giving on a board or it's printed in the weekly bulletin. In my experience, if there's a particular need it's usually
mentioned just before giving commences.
My first exposure to the principles and theology around giving back to God happened many years ago when I was still a teenager at our regular Friday night Youth Group Meeting. I don't remember why we were discussing this topic but I do remember one young man's testimony around giving which had a lasting impact on me. He was a young immigrant, relatively new to the country and attending college. He didn't have much in the way of finances but he felt convicted to give of the little he had consistently and he had seen in his life that lacked so much materially how he was always provided for. He stressed that he did not give because of what he got in return but because He wanted to. His demeanor was one of exuberance and contentment as he shared his story.
There is a joy in giving back to God even if we don't always understand how it works. That young man's joy was contagious because He recognized that without the God of the universe in his life he would have absolutely nothing. God again is always the best exemplar. He first gave His only son for us (John 3:16). This was a generous, sacrificial act of Someone who meant the most to Him, for us. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich…Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" (2 Corinthians 8:9, 9:15). This is a great place to start when we think about giving our tithes and offerings to God. God gave an indescribable gift for us so that we, in turn, could express our thanks to Him.
The young man gave heartily and with joy based on scriptures that supported giving. As this verse says, "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Cor. 9:7). The word "cheerful" in Greek is hilarios where we get our word "hilarity." Taken literally, God loves hilarious givers! Where there's hilarity there is joy.
Because I've witnessed firsthand that so many have questions around tithing and giving, I wanted to do this series in an attempt to elucidate on what the Bible says about giving and then how we live that out. For the next couple of weeks we'll talk about:
- What Does the Bible Say about Tithes and offerings?
- Stewardship - How does it fit in?
- The Heart of the Matter: Motive over Money
- Is a Change in Order? Changing your mindset around Giving
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Cor. 9:7
The wicked borrows but does not pay back, but the righteous is generous and gives. Psalm 37:21
In all things, I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’
Acts 20:35
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--Nylse
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From a young age, I watched my parents give their tithes and offerings and so it just became something that I did as well. It didn't matter what it was, $1.00 - I had to set a side my 10% + offering. And it has stuck with me to this day. God's house doesn't run for free. Looking forward to this series!
ReplyDeleteOur parents would've have been friends!
Deletea great topic that many shy away from and don't bother "elucidating" (: on. thankfully, our church is very open on the topic and lists the up's and down's weekly in the bulletin - I was raised w/ a French's mustard jar - several of them - set on the window sill of my bedroom where we placed the tithe, the savings, the camp money and the spending out of our tiny allowance. Great early training from my mom.
ReplyDeleteI love how excited and joyful he was, Nylse. I've also seen how God has always blessed my sacrificial giving and it is clear that He loves a joyful heart.
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you as you kick off this new series!